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The small number of menu offerings was justified by an attempt to buy locally, a worthy principle that must be hard to implement in early-February Iowa. The atmosphere is basic (concrete floor, exposed utilities, plain wood tables. However,a very friendly and helpful waitress couldn't compensate...More

Once graced with a seat at a table, you'll be expected to know/understand everything on the menu and order promptly. Wait too long, and you may not see your server for quite some time. Perhaps they were trying to tell you something, because the orders...More

Visited for dinner while attending the Iowa Writers' Festival. It was recommended by the clerk at Prairie Lights and he was right. We had a lovely glass of wine, and I had the whitefish (they subbed corvina, since the whitefish seemed to be in short...More

This is the second time I have eaten at the Motley Cow. The first time was a business lunch, and we sat outside - so I thought they forgot about us because it took at least 45 minutes to get our food from the time...More

The Motley Cow Cafe is just a couple of blocks outside of downtown Iowa City, which is great for its low-key, quiet, pleasant decor. You walk in and the walls are a bright, open green with large photographs of textiles lining it. It's immediately welcoming...More

This restaurant has a very seasonal menu and in our party 3 out of 4 of us found our food excellent, the 4th member of the party did not enjoy his meal, but did relish the desert. Service is fast and efficient and it is...More

The Motley Cow is a really cool place to eat. The food is organic and, if not gourmet, at least approaching it. We always left raving about the food, and with good memories of culinary adventures that included learning to love kale from eating there....More

My wife and I enjoyed a simply fantastic dinner at Motley Cow. We shared the tempura perch and roasted beets small plates. She had a fabulous lake trout entree and I had Beef Bourguignon special. Both were amazing. Nice wine and beer list. Great service....More